DCCC Dives In

The DCCC seems bent on proving its continued interest in the 20th CD race following a series of reports that some of the air has gone out of theÂ contest between U.S. Rep. John Sweeney, R-Clifton Park, and Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand.

On theÂ heelsÂ of yesterday’sÂ post-primary analysis, in which DCCC Chair Rahm Emanuel insisted New York remains “fertile ground” in the Dems’ quest to take back the house,Â aÂ local TV source confirmed the DCCC has reserved $500,000 worth of airtime in the Capital Region to run “issue ads”Â in the weeks leading up to the general election.

That’s a significant buy in this market, even though the DCCC and other non-candidate committees don’t get the lowest unit rate that candidates themselves are afforded.

In addition, the DCCC released the top lines of a poll it commissioned from Oregon-based firm Grove Insight that shows GillibrandÂ within 12 points of Sweeney, who continues to poll at less than 50 percent (at 43, to be exact).

That 12 is smack in the middle of the results of both campaigns’ internal polls (remember, hers showed a 8-point spread; his showed a 17-point spread).

Meanwhile, The Hill today reported that the RNC included the 20th CD on a list of 14 once-competitive seats it is now confident it will hold this fall.